AL-HIZBUL ISLAMI (HIZBI)

HIZBI’s invitations to various opposition leaders are part of our contribution towards
building a better and democratic Malaysia. In a healthy democracy, it is important for
citizens to be able to listen to all sides before making up their minds. It is recognised that
members of Malaysian opposition parties are not given sufficient space to present their ideas
to those living in the United Kingdom. HIZBI believes that this curb on the free flow of
information and ideas is detrimental to the future development of a multiracial and truly
democratic Malaysia. We believe it would be wrong to patronize Malaysian students in the
UK by denying them the opportunity to listen to all views, be it from the government or
outside of the government.
It is deeply regretted that HIZBI’s efforts to assist in building a progressive and democratic
Malaysia have been misconstrued. What is worse, neither Dato Noh nor his representatives
tried to contact HIZBI to discuss this issue.
Nonetheless, we know that we have not done anything wrong. HIZBI believes that all the
allegations and threats are politically motivated actions with foul intentions. It has also come
to our attention that several students have had their scholarships revoked, allegedly because
they were involved with HIZBI, and partly resulting from reports sent by members and
former members of a certain club.
The sponsoring bodies must be fair and just in their actions. If they were to take actions on
those involved in political activities, then they should act on the members of Kelab UMNO.
Kelab UMNO sends representatives to the Perhimpunan Agung UMNO almost every year.
They are treated as if they are a “branch” of UMNO, the political party. Some of them are
even invited to speak at the Perhimpunan Agung. What can be more political than this? Is
this not a clear evidence that Kelab UMNO is a political organization? Why the doublestandard?
HIZBI has never, and will never send official representatives to the AGM of any political
parties. It is HIZBI’s policy to work independent of Malaysian political parties so that we can
give fair and objective opinions on any issues.
It is also hugely regrettable that Dato Noh and his colleagues chose to ignore the moral
problems amongst Malaysian students in the UK. The number of sponsored students who
ignore their religious duties, such as those who do not pray or fast during Ramadhan, are
countless. There are some Muslim students of opposite sex living together without any
marital or family relationship. There are groups of students organising events that can be
considered as unbecoming of a Malay or Muslim. Why is Dato Noh choosing to keep mum
on these matters? Why is he focusing his efforts in preventing students from honing their
transferable skills in a respectable society like HIZBI? In short, we call upon Dato Noh and
the sponsors to look carefully at the social decay amongst Malaysian students rather than
focusing all efforts on killing Islamic student activisms.
Although HIZBI has deep reservations on the reasons behind the recent actions, HIZBI does
take the developments seriously. However, we remain resolute to the opinion that there are
political motivations behind these actions.
President's Office
HIZBI UK and Ireland